KOREAN LANGUANGE : THE PRINCIPLES OF VOWELS AND CONSONANT CREATION

I do not like only study for my self, so always questioning my self about the output. 

If i learn something then i just memorize it, then i will prefer to memorize my holy book. 

Lets start with a basic question. Who, When, Where, What, Why and How  Hangeul (Korean Alphabet was created?

My professor "proudly" said ( i think not only her), that only few languages can be tracked when it was created. Most of existed and spoken languages were derived from old language such latin, sanskirt and etc. So, How about Korean?

Based on the book, Hangeul was created (moon calendar) in September 1446 or equivalent with 9th October 1446. So that is why every 9th October is a public holiday. 

(while North Korea celebrates it every 15th January)

 The principles of  Korean Consonant Creation

1. According to the articulation organ ( 조음 기관)  there were 5 basic extraction letter (초출자)

ㄱ(아음), ㄴ(설음),ㅁ (순음), ㅅ (치음),ㅇ (후음)

2. Nine letters as 가획자 ( catch ability letter)
3. Three letter as  이체자  (different shape letter)
You can reference to this site for further information.
That is why while you are studying Korean alphabet, you do not need to memorize all. For example you just remember  ㄱ <k> , then when you want to pronounce aspirated consonant of  ㄱ you just need to add one stroke and it becomes  ㅋ  < kk>

consonant creation principles
Source : clickhere

How about the vowels? Does it shape like our oral organ too?
No. The vocal creation principle is more philosophical. Maybe one of Confucianism influences in Korean language. It based on three main elements. (,)a dot, (ㅣ)a vertical line (ㅡ) and a horizontal line. A harmony in our life. Dot represents land, vertical line represents human and vertical line represents sky.  If you remember well these three elements, you can write all of vowel alphabet (whether is the single or double vowels)

creation process of vowel alphabets 

source : click here

I found the creation of hangeul was so systematic. But do you know what else the excellent things of hangeul ?

1. Hangeul alphabet is systematic. You can scroll up to see how they create the alphabet only by adding one stroke to basic alphabet. 

2. It is also scientific and creative. The Korean consonants were made based on shape of the oral organ while we are actually pronounce the letter. 

3. It's an invention, not a developing result previous alphabet. Javanese alphabet was derived from Old Java alphabet. Old Java alphabet was derived from Pallawa alphabet. 

4. The writing system. Korean alphabet using  모아쓰기 which means syllable based alphabet. First,
By using this writing system, hangeul can be combined with hanja, Second, it shows the attribute of  agglutination in Korean, such as  먹어, 먹으니, 먹어서.  If hangeul was written using alphabet rules it will be like  ㅁ ㅓ ㄱ ㅓ, ㅁ ㅓㄱ ㅡ ㄴ ㅣ. It will be so difficult to identify the agglutination form. And the last one, this writing system helps Korean to read faster than if it was written in alphabet. ex: compare   먹어 and  ㅁㅓㄱ ㅓ.  which one is faster?

So, you can question yourself about how your mother tongue was created! And then compare it to Korean. As an addition, i usually use hangeul printed pattern scarf for my hijab. Somehow it looks so cute. You can buy it in Insadong  (10000won).

Okay , Next posting is still about Korean pronounciation!